There’s a lot in store for you if you are planning your next trip to the Tadoba Jungle Safari. This blog will cover everything you need to know about Tadoba Forest, and the important things for an unforgettable safari experience.
About Tadoba Jungle
Maharashtra’s biggest national park, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, India. TATR covers an extensive area and is home to diverse flora and fauna, with the iconic Tadoba Lake at its center. As the name suggests, it is widely popular for spotting tigers.
Tadoba Jungle Zones
Tadoba is divided into multiple safari zones, of which Moharli, Kolara, Kolsa and Navegaon are some of the popular safari zones. Each zone has its own charm, and the chances of spotting tigers may vary. During our visit to Tadoba, we opted to explore Kolsa zone since it is a little less crowded compared to other zones. The experience I share will be about Kolsa Zone only.
Best time to visit
While the park is open throughout the year for tourists, the best time to visit is between October to March since the weather is quite pleasant.
Accommodation
From luxury resorts to budget hotels, there are several accommodation options available. In Kolsa region, most of the hotels are at least 2 Km away from the main entry gate.
We stayed at Tadoba Wildlife Resort which was pretty good with great rooms and food. Overall I’d rate it 4 stars out of 5. Here are some pictures of the property.
Safari Timings
The safaris are carried out twice every day – early morning and at afternoon (soon after lunch). In Kolsa region, the morning safari was between 06:00 am – 10:00 am, and the afternoon safari was between 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Forest is closed for tourists after sunset.
Vehicle & Exploration
Tourists can opt for open-topped Gypsies here. Experienced personnel from the forest department along with a dedicated driver will also accompany you. A group of 6 people can easily sit in a single gypsy. For first timers, I would personally suggest you to book the safari via travel companies.
Forest Guidelines
It’s essential to follow the guidelines set by the park authorities to ensure a safe and responsible safari experience. Following are some of the ground rules of Tadoba safari that everyone needs to follow.
- Using smartphones and mobile phones is strictly prohibited inside the forest. If caught using smartphones inside the park, the person needs to pay a fine of Rs. 5000.
- Tourists may opt to carry a DSLR or professional cameras at an additional cost of Rs.250 per equipment.
- Don’t apply perfumes, scents, deodorants or anything similar before safaris, as you may attract unwanted insects.
- It is mandatory to obtain permits from the park authorities, which can be booked online or at entry gates itself. However, it is advised to obtain permits online and well in advance especially during peak seasons.
- If you are an Indian, carrying and providing your original Aadhar Card at the entry is mandatory along with necessary permits. For international tourists, please carry your passports.
- It is crucial to practice ethical photography by maintaining a safe distance from the animals and avoiding any disruptive behavior. Shouting and/or making any loud sounds is unadvisable.
- Do not carry polybags or any kind of waste materials inside the park.
What to pack in Tadoba?
- Select outfits that are neutral/jungle/earth shades (Example – Green, beige, brown, black, grey).
- Avoid neon colored apparel / shoes / bags etc. or any other bright colours.
- Carry a bandana (highly suggested) or a mask to cover your face and neck area. For ladies, ensure to tie your hair and cover it with a cloth to protect it from dust.
- A first-aid kit.
- Optional – Binoculars, cameras to sight and capture animals at a distance.
- Optional – Caps, sunscreen, mosquito repellents, and sunglasses.
During Winters (November to February) – It is recommended to carry warm clothes, jackets, gloves, mufflers etc. since morning safaris can be pretty cold.
During Summers (March to August) – It is recommended to carry loose fitted cotton clothes along with sunscreens and caps.
Hope this blog was informative. Thanks for joining me on this blogging journey. Your feedback and suggestions mean a lot. Share your thoughts in the comments section!
